42nd Year! How About You?

[wallydave]

Been making the trip North off and on since 98. When we are fishing, we try to find the "pattern" where the fish are and what are they biting on. My pattern has been two our three years in a row, then take a break. Sometimes it has been a matter of the group not able to set a week, sometimes it has been work and formation priorities. Yet despite these "off" years, a smaller group has been getting together to make memories along the shores of Lac Seul! At times I have just wanted to see if the "fire was still in the belly" Yup still there! Nice to figure this pattern out!! Next figure out where the walleyes will be the week of June 16-23!!

[Golden Eagle]

I've put enough Canadian fishing days in the bank that I won't feel cheated on the day I check out.

[UKBDM]

Started taking canoe trips into Quetico with my BIL in 1997 at age 31. Enjoyed the "roughing it" of paddling/portaging for 10 years or so and the fishing was fantastic most years. Had a bad back in 2003 and tried a drive in camp on Wabaskang Lake. Didn't catch many fish (due to ignorance) and didn't try boats again until 2010. Went back to Wabaskang, caught fish, and actually bought a boat last year. Don't plan on missing a year until I rest in my grave. Last two years have been with my son (13) and this year my daughter (11) will be going. Still want to introduce the son to the Quetico experience but not sure I can pull him away from Wabaskang. It's the highlight of our year and we are really starting to learn the lake.

Will be at Jim and Julie's on Wabaskang June 23-30 this year. 13 of us!

[NARDA 1]

This September will be 24 years for me at he same lodge. I've got about 125 days to go, can't wait!!!!!

[Pat]

First trip I was 5, now I'm 61, new math tells me that 56 years! Wow, where has the time gone! Nothing like the annual trip to Canada.

[Mike Kansas]

First trip was in 1955 at the age of 10 with my Father and a couple of his employees. Have missed a couple years since than and many years have gone 2 or 3 times. I think I have to been Canada fishing a total of 84 weeks during the last 57 years which is 2.8% of that time. Wish it was more but every trip has been great.

There is nothing like spending time on a Canadian lake with a buddy or a family member. While the fish catching and the scenery is great the relationship building in such a relaxed atmosphere is the best part.

Thanks to all the Outfitters who have provided such great service and let me enjoy their hospitality.

Mike Kansas

[itsme]

I turn 82 in a few days. Have three trips planned for 2012. This will be 61 years minus the two I missed because of Korea and England work assignment. So have fished 59 years and still looking for the 30" walleye.

Took my brother-in-law two years ago and he caught and we released three over 30". He had never fished for walleye and was using the lures I make. I guess I should just start a guide service.

[Kevin R]

I have heard the story many times growing up how we started going. In the 1950's our group went for many years to Lake Pokegama in WI, in 1960 my Dad built a boat 18ft x 8ft beam he put 60hp Atwater Scott outboard for power. At the time this was consider a big boat after all the boats they used on Pokegama were 12-14 ft oars for power. In 1960 the fishing declined in Pokegama & they found dead fish floating all over the lake the result off over development poisoning the weeds to make for better beach areas for swimmers. Well after seeing all the dead fish they decided to go further north packing up the boat & gear off to LOTW by Souix Narrows. The first group was four & they camped on an Island the entire stay. They told of how clean the water was & the fishing was great but the roads were not. So the next couple years were in MN on the Whitewater Chain of lakes, great boating lakes but just average fishing. 1965 is the first year I went to Canada all because a friend said how improved the roads were 6 of us went to Eagle Lake our group averged about 10 most years peaked at 17 but now it's just 2. The first year I went we had a wooden camp boat (we didn't bring our boat) the next year the camp changed to all aluminum boats, we started bringing our own boat in 1973 the year the group was 17 people. The year we went to Red Lake 1969 & Wabaskang 1970 we had fishing like I never have experienced again it really seams so sure real compared with the fishing of today in those years anybody could catch fish even from the piers both numbers & size these were in the days of meat hunters & when the word got out they flocked to get the fish.

[rpieske]

Wow!! I expected to be the winner on this one, but Bill Krejca beat me by a mile. This will be my 60th year fishing muskies on LOTW. Always out of Nestor Falls, but sometimes on fly-in trips from there. You are right about the passion. And the older you get the more it is about the beauty, peace and fellowship than the fishing. Good thing because I just can't fish 16 hours a day....every day of the week. But then, I get to spend 3-4 months per year on LOTW, so that makes up for it.

[Lazy Fisherman]

First trip for me was 1969. Have fished different lakes, but have enjoyed every trip.